Public invited to share in speakers, performances, exhibits, booksignings

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. – (Jan. 7, 2008) – In this historic year for the nation, Tidewater Community College celebrates Black History Month with a wide assortment of activities throughout February. With performances, workshops, lectures and entertainment at each of its four campuses, TCC invites the community to celebrate the rich and diverse contributions of African Americans. All activities are free and open to the public.

TCC Black History Month - Stepping Up for Change events are listed below and online, www.tcc.edu - where visitors can also check for updates on events. For more information, call TCC’s Information Center, 822-1122. For campus maps and driving directions, visit http://www.tcc.edu/welcome/locations/. (Note: Events are subject to change and are on a first-come first-served basis.)

February 1

African American Authors—Book Signing

Husband and wife authors Andrew and Luressah Heidelberg will sign their respective books, The Norfolk 17 and BreakingSilence.

Barnes and Noble at TCC Bookstore, MacArthur Center

Downtown Norfolk

2 to 4 p.m.

February 2

Harlem Renaissance Exhibit

Experience the history of the Harlem Renaissance through this large, colorful exhibit. Check out the art, writing and posters from that era. The display will be showing through Feb. 27 in the Norfolk Campus Learning Resource Center (library).

Martin Building, 1st Floor

Norfolk Campus

African Art, Culture and Music Display

A collection of African fabrics, dolls and musical instruments will be on display through Feb. 27 in the Norfolk Campus Learning Resource Center (library). Come appreciate these exciting pieces of art.

An exploration through poetry and song of African American women’s lives from slavery to the 21st century presented by recording artist Narissa Bond, a singer-songwriter who has won numerous songwriting awards, and Dara M. Bergmann, a poet, activist and advocate whose focus is the issues faced by survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Sponsored by TCC’s Women’s Center.

Pungo Building, Pungo Auditorium, Room F-133

Virginia Beach Campus

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Jazz of the Harlem Renaissance

Earle Gullins, jazz historian and president of the Lee Morgan Jazz Fan Club, discusses the musical influences that came out of this era in our history and how they still inspire music of today.

Bayside Building, Learning Resource Center (library), Room B-201

Virginia Beach Campus

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

February 4

Harlem Renaissance Exhibit—Receptions

Join us at the Harlem Renaissance Exhibit opening receptions. Light refreshments will be served.

Martin Building, Learning Resource Center (library), 1st Floor

Norfolk Campus

12 to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.

February 5

Harlem Renaissance Jazz in Live Performance

A musical program performed by Juju and the After Hours Band, featuring the sounds of traditional and contemporary jazz artists.

Pungo Building, Pungo Auditorium, Room F-133

Virginia Beach Campus

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Hitz on the Plaza

Come out for Hitz on the Plaza to experience DJ music from African American artists.

On the Plaza adjacent to the Martin Building (weather permitting)

Norfolk Campus

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

February 8

African American Author—Book Signing

Author Wil LaVeist will sign his new book, Fired UP.

Barnes and Noble at TCC Bookstore, MacArthur Center

Downtown Norfolk

2 to 4 p.m.

February 9

Women’s Work Explored through Poetry and Song

An exploration through poetry and song of African American women’s lives from slavery to the 21st century presented by recording artist Narissa Bond, a singer-songwriter who has won numerous songwriting awards, and Dara M. Bergmann, a poet, activist and advocate whose focus is the issues faced by survivors of sexual and domestic violence.

Waterfront Conference Room

Portsmouth Campus

5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

February 10

Find Your Own Voice

Poet and author Nathan Richardson uses his poetry to help create an understanding of the poetry written during the Harlem Renaissance.

Pungo Building, Pungo Auditorium, Room F-133

Virginia Beach Campus

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

February 12

Understanding the Emancipation Proclamation

Professor Tim Konhaus discusses the events leading up to the ratification of this historic document and the societal consequences that followed.

Pungo Building, Pungo Auditorium, Room F-133

Virginia Beach Campus

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

February 15

African American Author—Book Signing

Author Angela Corprew-Boyd will sign her new book, Church Hurt: The Wounded Trying to Heal.

Barnes and Noble at TCC Bookstore, MacArthur Center

Downtown Norfolk

2 to 4 p.m.

February 16

Profiles in Black History Exhibit

Presented by the Chesapeake Campus Student Government Association, the display will be showing through Feb. 20.

Whitehurst Building, Student Lounge

Chesapeake Campus

February 17

Women’s WorkExplored through Poetry and Song

An exploration through poetry and song of African-American women’s lives from slavery to the 21st century presented by recording artist Narissa Bond, a singer-songwriter who has won numerous songwriting awards, and Dara M. Bergmann, a poet, activist and advocate whose focus is the issues faced by survivors of sexual and domestic violence.

Theater in the Pass Building

Chesapeake Campus

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Mancala/Owori Tournament

Come compete against your classmates in this fascinating board game. Originating in Ghana, this ancient game is rumored to have been played by kings to prove their strategic skills.

Joseph Whittaker discusses novels and poems written by authors such as Georgia Douglas Johnson, Alice Dunbar-Nelson and Zora Neale Hurston.

Bayside Building, Learning Resource Center (library), Room B-201

Virginia Beach Campus

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

The Cotton Club

Flashback in time and enjoy a historical, cultural experience when you attend the re-creation of the Harlem Cotton Club. Dancing, open expressions and music will be featured.

Beazley Building, Cafeteria

Portsmouth Campus

5 to 7 p.m.

February 19

The Club from Nowhere

Professor Chris Medlin discusses the underground fundraising effort that began during the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955. The fundraising endeavor was inspired by Georgia Gilmore through the sale of her delicious home-baked cakes and pies, and the money that was collected seemed to come from “nowhere.”

Pungo Building, Pungo Auditorium, Room F-133

Virginia Beach Campus

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

African-American History in Portsmouth:
Women and Men Who Paved the Way for a Better Life

Performer James Cameron presents a living history reenactment of this Revolutionary War-era African American. Cameron traces the life of John Rollison, a free African American, who managed to acquire wealth and notability in Williamsburg, where he soon learned that “free” did not always mean “equal.”

Pungo Building, Pungo Auditorium, Room F-133

Virginia Beach Campus

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Leaders in Industry Career Panel—Minority Business Leaders

Join us to learn how our community leaders in business and industry have excelled in their fields. Learn what you need to do to be as successful in similar career fields.

Whitehurst Building, Room 2057

Chesapeake Campus

1 p.m.

Having it All? Black Women and Success

A talk by author Veronica Chambers, author of Having it All?, Black Women and Success,Kickboxing Geishas, Mama’s Girl and The Joy of Doing Things Badly. Chambers has been the cultural writer for Newsweek and regularly writes for magazines including O, the Oprah Magazine, and for newspapers, including the New York Times. Sponsored by TCC’s Women’s Center.

Martin Building, Room 2502

Norfolk Campus

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

February 25

Soul Food Sampler—2nd Annual

Come join us for our 2nd Soul Food Sampler at TCC-Norfolk where a wide variety of dishes will be featured.

TCC Roper Performing Arts Center, Room 4235

Norfolk Campus

12 to 1 p.m. (or until the food runs out!)

February 26

Hitz on the Plaza

Come out to Hitz on the Plaza to experience music from African American artists!

On the Plaza adjacent to the Martin Building (weather permitting)

Norfolk Campus

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

African-Americans and Substance Abuse

Lecture by Pam Hiner from the City of Virginia Beach Community Services Board.

Celebrating its 40th year, Tidewater Community College - the largest provider of higher education and Workforce Solutions services in Hampton Roads - enrolls nearly 40,000 students and has the second largest undergraduate student body in Virginia. The 23rd highest producer of associate degrees in the nation, and the 35th largest community college, TCC is among the 20 fastest-growing large two-year institutions in the United States. Founded in 1968 as a part of the Virginia Community College System, the college serves the South Hampton Roads region with campuses in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach as well as the TCC Jeanne and George Roper Performing Arts Center in Norfolk’s theater district, the Visual Arts Center in Olde Towne Portsmouth and a regional Advanced Technology Center in Virginia Beach. Forty-six percent of the region’s residents attending a college or university in Virginia last fall were enrolled at TCC. For more information, visit www.tcc.edu.